Travel is not quite as simple as packing a bag and ticking off the three essentials - tickets, money, and passport. Some people love planning their trips down to the minutest detail, but for others the choices and preparation required can be overwhelming. If you've just booked a cheap flight to Kenya in the hope of doing a spot of sand surfing or booked a last-minute romantic jaunt to Paris, here's a checklist of things to do before you jump on the plane. Some planning ahead can save you a lot of hassle and ensure you enjoy your trip.
Tickets
Paper tickets are becoming a thing of the past as e-tickets are increasingly emailed direct to travellers. The advantage is you can't leave your ticket at home, but don't forget to take along your booking reference.
Money
Traveller's cheques are not as commonly used in this electronic age, but they still remain the safest way to carry money, as they will be replaced if they are lost or stolen.
If you are carrying cash, make sure that it's not all kept in one place as pickpockets can be found even in the safest seeming Western cities.
ATMs have made getting access to cash internationally much easier, so make sure your card is activated for overseas transactions before you leave home. There is a bank charge for withdrawals so limit the frequency and remember cash advances on your credit card mean you lose your interest free period unless your account is in credit.
You can exchange money at the airport on arrival at your destination. It is sensible, however, whenever possible, to have enough local currency before you arrive in a country, especially if arriving at night, to pay for a taxi and food.
It is illegal to export the currency of certain countries, so check local laws. Depending on where you are travelling, it might pay to carry some US dollars, as they are often popular and easy to exchange. If you are carrying more than $10,000 (in cash or travellers checks) into an EU country, it must be declared.
Passports
Don't start looking for your passport the night before your flight. If you're travelling to stamp-happy countries, ensure you have enough blank pages in your passport. Frequent travellers can pay extra for a passport with double the pages. Generally, make sure your passport doesn't expire within six months of your return date. Some countries will not let you in if it's not valid from more than six months.
If you need a new passport, you can apply at an Australia Post outlet or Australian Passport Office. It normally takes up to three weeks to get a passport, but you can pay a priority-processing fee and have one issued in two days. For more information see the Australian Passports website www.passports.gov.au.
Visas
Check whether you will need a visa to enter the countries you are travelling to. Australians generally don't need a visa to enter the UK, the EU or the US if they are planning to stay for less than three months. Europe can be tricky for Australians on longer trips (more than 90 days within a six month period) because of the Schenghen agreement, which allows borderless travel within the 22-country 'Schengen area'. It is important to get your passport stamped when entering or leaving the Schengen area. Some Schengen countries also require you to register with local authorities within three working days of your arrival.
For more information on visas, the Australian government travel advisory and consular assistance service website (www.smarttraveller.gov.au) has general advice or you should check with the embassy or consulate of the country you are visiting.
Be warned, visa applications can take weeks or months to process, depending on the destination, and you may need to send in your passport as well. Check visa requirements at least eight weeks before travel but if you are getting visas early, check that they cover the duration of your trip as some apply from the date of issue.
Insurance
It can be tempting not to take out travel insurance and spend the money on your holiday instead, especially if you're only having a week-long break in Bali. What could really go wrong? It's better not to find out, especially when you can get insurance at reasonable rates. Some credit cards offer free travel insurance if you charge all or some of your trip on the card, but there are conditions so read the fine print.
Documents
Make two copies of passports and all important documents and carry one set with you (in a separate place to the originals, just in case they get stolen) and leave the other papers at home with somebody in case of an emergency.
Jabs
Ouch. We all hate them. But, a little discomfort and embarrassment is far better than catching rabies or some other nasty disease.
See your doctor or travel clinic six to eight weeks before departure to check which, if any, vaccinations you might need for the part of the world you are travelling to. You may also need a booster shot of childhood vaccinations. Some are merely advisable, but proof of immunisation against certain diseases is a requirement of entry for some countries. For further information, check the Australian government travel advisory and consular assistance service website (www.smarttraveller.gov.au). The World Health Organisation's annually-updated International Health and Travel publication is also available online at www.who.int/ith.
Accommodation
It might be bold and adventurous to arrive in a country with just your backpack and no idea where you will end up staying that night. But, it's probably wiser to make arrangements for the first night at least. If your flight gets in late at night, walking around a foreign city in the dark looking for somewhere to stay can quickly become a drag, especially if your arrival coincides with a big event or conference and there are few or no vacancies.
Luggage
Pack appropriately for destination and the type of travel you are doing. Hardened backpackers will still need a smart outfit for the opera in Milan and you can leave the evening gown and stilettos at home if you're heading to a laid-back beach in Thailand. Dress sensibly and be culturally sensitive when visiting Islamic or conservative countries. A sarong for the beach can double up as a shawl when visiting religious sites, while a few accessories can help smarten up an outfit without taking up much space.
Most of us have to carry our own bags, so travel as light as you can, sticking to comfortable clothing and shoes.
If you're backpacking, follow the time-honoured advice: pack your bag, then take everything out, cull the clothes by half and repack. And don't forget the wet wipes and emergency toilet paper.
Remember that there are security restrictions on carry-on luggage for international flights for liquids, including aerosols and gels. All liquids 100ml or less must be placed together in a transparent, resealable bag (available at airports and chemists). Anything more than 100ml must be put in your check-in luggage.
Be careful when buying duty free alcohol, perfumes or cosmetics, as you may have to surrender them at your next stop. Some direct flights from the US or New Zealand allow you to carry-on duty free liquids once you pass through the security screening point but often transit passengers can get caught out at the next airport or even within Australian airports. Check with your travel agent or airline or the Australian Government's transport security information on www.infrastructure.gov.au.
Smart Traveller
The Australian Government has a comprehensive travel advisory website for Australians travelling overseas. Wherever you are going, especially if you are travelling to areas where there may be conflict, wars or violence, you should check the website at www.smarttraveller.gov.au.
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